FEE REFUNDS yes or no?

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Wanting to get others input on refunding fees.When do you refund a player's fees or do you? If a player has signed their committment letter & a statement saying all fees are NON-REFUNDABLE then leaves on their own should they be asking for a refund of the fees they have already paid? Keep in mind the player has played 2 fall tournamnets and a winter league prior to leaving on their own free will. Looking for as much helpful feedback as possible....

 

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here's our take. $150 up front fee once they accept a spot, non refundable. Then, starting Jan 1, remainder of fee is refunded based upon days left up to August 1. So, every day, their prorated fee is reduced. We let everyone know up front and with the issues of fall ball, insurance, sweats, uniform, and league play is covered-that is part of it anyway. We also refund entire balance evenly at year end.

End of day, do what you say your are going (assuming clearly communicated up front) to do in the event a refund issue occurs. Now, there are exceptions as we are all humans and things happen. Loosing jobs in this economy will even have me refunding their entire fee-hope I don't have to.

This is a good topic and should get some interesting feedback.

 

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Lester that is as fair as it gets.

 

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I think it depends on the situation.

 

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We charge a $75 non-refundable deposit, but other than that, all money that has not been spent (uniforms, tournaments, registrations, etc...) is refunded.

 

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That's like cancelling a cell phone contract and asking for your money back and not being liable for the early termination fee! When you knowingly signed to play and read there is no refund, then it has to be what it says, "NO REFUND", otherwise committment doesn't mean anything. I recently moved dd to another team, I never asked for my $100.00 back and I never will, and if I did, they shouldn't give it to me. I didn't ask for the $500 to $600 I raised with hosting a tournament or selling candels either. My opinion is NO REFUND!

 

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I think it depends on situation. Also consider if its a yearly fee or broken down for Fall, Winter and Summer.

 

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That's like cancelling a cell phone contract and asking for your money back and not being liable for the early termination fee! When you knowingly signed to play and read there is no refund, then it has to be what it says, "NO REFUND", otherwise committment doesn't mean anything. I recently moved dd to another team, I never asked for my $100.00 back and I never will, and if I did, they shouldn't give it to me. I didn't ask for the $500 to $600 I raised with hosting a tournament or selling candels either. My opinion is NO REFUND!

Why no refund? What would be the justification? Punishment for leaving? I can see with a For Profit company like a cell phone company but for a non-profit I can't see anything other then covering the expenses. Something fair like Lester does. Fundraising is a team project and it should stay with the team.

It is another issue, moving after giving a commitment but the refund policy should be the same.

 

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If you don't refund the money, are you going pick up a player to replace her and tell them fees are paid?? Or will you double dip and keep the original girls fees and charge the new player a full set of fees???

 

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Keep only what it cost the team for her to play up until she decided to leave. No reason to hold their money if you have not already used it. I like the pro-rated approach listed below. I also agree with the returning money based upon financial hardship. Remember its a game not a business ...... If it's financial hardship I would hope the team would make some concessions to help her stay on and play ..... Just my thoughts
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I would think by this point all or most money is spent. So refund would be lil if any.

 

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Here's some things to consider. If your are going to refund monies, are you keeping the uniform for a replacement player? If it has the players name on it of course you can't, but you do have to order a new uniform to replace an existing uniform, which by the way cost more to order/screen/number for one vs. several. Insurance paid to cover that player will follow the player if individual coverage for the players was purchased via Bollinger/ASA. I would not refund this portion as it is a benefit the family will be able use going to the next team.

Personally, I would find it difficult, unless it is a financial issue for the parents, to refund monies that were incured to cover that player, i.e. insurance, uniforms, special training. . . anything the player used or was able to take advantage of using.

Only the remainder portion would I consider refunding as Lester pointed out below, prorating by days left in the season.

 

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In my opinion, this is a COMMITTMENT and nothing should be refunded. I don't think people understand what it does to a team/coach when someone quits an organization. Not only has the organization already paid for their uniforms, insurance, tournament fees, but the rest of the girls are left without a team member that they have grown to know and bond with. We were in a situation last year when we, as parents, were not happy with our dd's team/coach, but quitting was NOT even an option. Our opinion was that we chose to play for this organization and we made a committment to this team, we'll tough it out and NOT come back next year. And that's exactly what we did...no hard feelings...my dd made some very good friends and stays in touch with them and the coach as well. There has to be some deterrent or everyone would feel that they could quit anytime they get mad about something. I'm sorry, but NO REFUNDS!

 

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The fees should be refunded only if the family has suddenly experienced a hardship which would make playing on the team impossible ie. job loss,parent death. If they were unhappy and found another team no money should be refunded. Any money forfeited should used to lower cost for entire team and replacement player should pay any required team fees. IMHO

 

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I just experienced this. A player commited to our team in August of 08. we practiced all winter and played some indoor ball along with a winter tournament. This month this player left our team for another. Parents asked for a refund. I said NO. Our policy is: If we as an organazation ask a player to leave then we will give a refund based on money not spent. If a player leaves of their own free will there will be no refund .

 

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Our policy is no refunds. The player and parent sign a form when they commit to play and it clearly states NO REFUNDS. In August when I put my team together, I collect an up front $150 commitment fee. This covers things like, indoor league, indoor shirts and socks, fall tournaments. The remainder of the money is due in January. While travel ball is not a "for profit" type of organization, it is not a savings bank either. What reason would a player have to stay if they decide the grass is greener somewhere else and leave your team and group of girls hanging? Obviously, there are exceptions that would be reviewed on an individual basis.

 

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What about a team that folds right before the season starts? This isn't a softball team, but a baseball team that my son was on. How much should be refunded then?

 

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What ever was not used

 

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What about a team that folds right before the season starts? This isn't a softball team, but a baseball team that my son was on. How much should be refunded then?

Hey dude! I would say your situation 100% refund less uniforms that may have been purchased and the uniforms go to the players. Insurance if purchased as a team is a wash, as an individual will cover the "G"man. Hoping everything works out for him. Remind him he can always help warm up the girls this summer!

 

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catchersdad, when a team folds, I think refunds of anything that hasn't been spent should be issued.